Player Profiles, #18: Cole Grossman features heavily in Beckerman's absence

Cole Grossman featured in 17 MLS games, in large part due to Kyle Beckerman's absence in Brazil. Grossman played well over 500 minutes, nearly four times the amount of minutes he played in 2013.

He showed pretty well for himself with the opportunities he was given, but having such big shoes to fill was probably an unfair task. Nobody in MLS plays the defensive midfield position as well as Beckerman, so Cole had his work cut out for him.

Grossman showed to be more than capable on the defensive side of the ball and excelled when coming on late to help close out a game while his distribution going forward was inconsistent at best and lacking at worst.

This is not to say that he played poorly or that he is not a good player. He recently went on trial with Bob Bradley's club in Europe, which shows that coaches see him as having something that could help their clubs. Grossman is last known to be undergoing negotiations with RSL, which could lead to his return at the club.

Whether or not he stays with Real Salt Lake, he made some very important contributions in 2014.

Editor's note: This is part of a series of player profiles recapping the 2014 season and previewing the 2015 season. Player ratings were compiled via a vote by RSL Soapbox writers. Statistics are via mlssoccer.com.